No reliable estimates are available regarding the amount
of domestically cultivated or processed marijuana. The amount of marijuana
available in the United States--including marijuana produced both domestically and
internationally--is unknown. Moreover, estimates as to the extent of domestic cannabis
cultivation are not feasible due to significant variability in or nonexistence of
data regarding the number of cannabis plants not eradicated during eradication seasons,
cannabis eradication effectiveness, and plant-yield estimates.

The amount of cannabis cultivated and marijuana produced
in the United States by large-scale DTOs, including Asian, Caucasian, and Mexican
groups, is unknown. No estimates are available regarding the amount of marijuana
produced by Asian, Caucasian, and Mexican traffickers in the United States; currently,
no national-level eradication statistics are compiled or recorded by the producing
group. The lack of such estimates precludes a precise determination of the extent
to which each group is involved in marijuana production within the United States.

The extent of indoor cannabis cultivation in the United
States is largely unknown and likely underreported because of the challenges posed
to law enforcement entities in locating indoor grow sites. Law enforcement
reporting indicates that indoor cannabis cultivation in the United States is increasing
because more cultivators are establishing indoor grows in order to avoid detection
and attain higher profits. However, fewer indoor grow sites are eradicated than
outdoor sites in the United States. DCE/SP data indicate that 20,121 outdoor sites
were eradicated in 2008, compared with just 4,165 indoor sites the same year. This
disparity is most likely due to challenges posed to law enforcement in investigating
indoor grow sites, particularly issues pertaining to searches of the sites, since
most are located within private residences.

In the near term, the threat posed by domestic cannabis cultivation in both outdoor
and indoor grows will increase as DTOs expand their operations throughout the United
States. Traffickers, primarily Mexican and Asian DTOs, involved with cannabis cultivation
and marijuana distribution will expand their operations to new areas, primarily
to minimize detection and maximize profits. Such expansion will likely occur in
areas where traffickers believe there is less law enforcement scrutiny and public
awareness. Additionally, demand for high-potency marijuana may encourage traffickers
to produce other high THC-content products such as hashish and hash oil.